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The aircraft:

The Lancaster saw action with RAF Bomber Command in the 1940s and was instrumental in the allied bombing offensive over Europe.

The four engined heavy bomber was operated by the Royal Air Force during World War Two and flies in tribute to all members of Bomber Command during the war.

PA474 was built at the Vickers Armstrong Broughton factory at Hawarden Airfield, Chester on 31 May 1945, just after the war in Europe came to an end.

(Image: Surrey Advertiser)

The aircraft was built in preparation for use against the Japanese as part of the Tiger Force. However, the war in the Far East also ended before she was deployed, meaning this particular Lancaster did not take part in any hostilities.

Lancaster PA474 is one of only two airworthy Lancasters left in the world - the other residing in Canada.

After being restored, she joined the Battle of Britain Flight in November 1973.

In May 2015, the aircraft suffered a fire in its starboard outer engine. A safe landing was made.

Extensive work to fix the fire damage meant the aircarft could fly again - which is did five months later. It was later announced that with the ongoing maintenance, she should still be airworthy until 2065.

The Hawker Hurricanes

(Image: Hulton Archive)

The Hawker Hurricane was designed and built for aerial combat. It was at the forefront of Britain’s defence in 1940 and it played a major part in achieving the victory of 1945.

It evolved through several versions and adaptations, as bomber-interceptors, fighter-bombers and ground support aircraft in addition to fighters. Further versions were adapted for naval services, which were known as the Sea Hurricane. Some were even converted to be used as catapult-launched convoy escorts.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight operate two of the remaining 12 Hurricanes that are still airworthy - the PZ865 (MK IIC) and LF363 (MK IIC).

(Image: NCJ Archive)

Hurricane LF363 (MK IIC) is believed to be the last Hurricane to enter service with the RAF, serving with No 63 Squadron at Turnhouse, No 309 (Polish) Squadron at Drem. The aircraft was usef on shipping protection patrols off the coast of Scotland.

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Hurricane PZ865 (MK IIC) is the last Hurricane ever built, from a production of 14,533 in total. She is marked with the inscription ‘The Last of the Many’ on her port and starboard sides. Keen to preserve the last Hurricane ever built, Hawkers purchased the aircraft back from the Air Ministry and kept it in storage at Langley.

Since 2012 this famous Hurricane has faithfully replicated Hurricane Mk IIC HW840, coded ‘EG-S’, of 34 Sqn, South East Asia Command during 1944, the personal aircraft of Canadian pilot, Flight Lieutenant Jimmy Whalen DFC.

The Spitfires

(Image: PUBLICITY PIC)

The Spitfire was produced in greater numbers than any other British aircraft throughout the Second World War and the only British fighter produced continuously during conflict.

The high-performance aircraft has a distinctive wing shape that was developed to have the thinnest possible cross-section, giving the aircraft a higher top speed than any other at the time.

(Image: NCJ Archive)

It was viewed to be the main RAF fighter of WWI and served in several roles, including interceptor, photo-reconnaissance, fighter-bomber and trainer. It continued to serve in these roles until the 1950s.

This particular model of aircraft is popular with enthusiasts. Around 54 are still airworthy and there are many more in museums around the world.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight have six airworthy Spitfires, one of which will be in Llandudno for the display.

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The Flight

(Image: PA)

On July 10 it is the 78th anniversary of what is widely acknowledged to be the start of the battle of Britain. The conflict began with a series of Luftwaffe attacks on shipping convoys off the south-east coast of England on this day in 1940.

The RAF shot down 14 enemy aircraft and severely damaged 23 more that day, according to the Air Ministry, with 641 aircraft completing 200 patrols.

The aerial conflict ranks alongside the battles of Trafalgar and Waterloo as one of the most significant in British history. It was the first major battle in history fought entirely in the air and was the first significant strategic defeat for the Nazis during the Second World War.